January 28, 2014

Americans strongly prefer Broncos in Super Bowl

Raleigh, N.C. – In PPP’s first national poll of 2014, President Obama’s approval rating has increased slightly from his record low last month. It’s far from a cause of celebration in the White House, though, as 41% of voters now approve of the job he’s doing, as opposed to 53% who disapprove. Obama’s signature policy achievement, the Affordable Care Act, has seen similarly seen a tepid improvement, with 38% approving and 52% disapproving.

At the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, Republicans have topped Democrats in the generic Congressional ballot for the first time this election cycle (42/40). Yet Congressional Republicans continue to be wildly unpopular; 20% of voters approve of the job they’re doing and 68% disapprove. Congressional Democrats fare somewhat better (32/59). On the whole, Congress’ approval ratings have dipped even lower, now down to just 6%. Voters’ approval ratings of their own Members of Congress is better in comparison (37/47), but has dropped markedly in the past month (41/44 in December).

On the issues, a majority of voters continue to support raising the minimum wage to $10/hour (55/36), with even 28% of Republicans supporting. Almost twice as many voters support continuing unemployment benefits instead of cutting them off (63/32), and even 44% of Republicans think the benefits should be continued.

Looking ahead to the Super Bowl, the Broncos continue to be America’s new favorite team, with 49% rooting for them vs. 22% rooting for the Seahawks. Broncos QB Peyton Manning continues to be one of America’s most favored players; at 64% his favorability rating has improved since last month. Public opinion on the Seahawks All-Pro cornerback, Richard Sherman, is more muted, with only 15% having a favorable opinion versus 28% who have an unfavorable opinion.

“In the years we’ve been polling on the Super Bowl this is the most lopsided we’ve seen it in terms of who Americans are rooting for,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “Peyton Manning’s personal popularity has most people pulling for the Broncos.”

PPP surveyed 845 registered voters from January 23rd to 26th. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 3.4%. 80% of interviews for the poll were conducted over the phone with 20% interviewed over the internet to reach respondents who don’t have landline telephones.

Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.

Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of the jobCongressional Democrats are doing?Approve .......................................................... 32%Disapprove...................................................... 59%Not sure .......................................................... 9%

Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the jobCongressional Republicans are doing?Approve .......................................................... 20%Disapprove...................................................... 68%Not sure .......................................................... 13%

Q5 Do you approve or disapprove of the jobCongress overall is doing?Approve .......................................................... 6%Disapprove...................................................... 85%Not sure .......................................................... 10%

Q6 Do you approve or disapprove of the job yourown member of Congress is doing?Approve .......................................................... 37%Disapprove...................................................... 47%Not sure .......................................................... 17%

Q7 If there was an election for the U.S. Housetoday, would you vote for the Democratic orRepublican candidate from your district?Democrat ........................................................ 40%Republican...................................................... 42%Not sure .......................................................... 18%

Q8 Do you approve or disapprove of the AffordableCare Act?Approve .......................................................... 38%Disapprove...................................................... 52%Not sure .......................................................... 10%

Q10 Would you support or oppose raising theminimum wage to $10 an hour?Support ........................................................... 55%Oppose ........................................................... 36%Not sure .......................................................... 9%

Q11 Congress is considering whether to continue orcut off federal unemployment benefits forworkers whose state unemployment benefitshave ended but cannot find a job. Do you thinkthat Congress should continue or cut off federalunemployment benefits at this time?Strongly feel they should continue them......... 43%Somewhat think they should continue them.... 20%Strongly feel they should cut them off............. 23%Somewhat think they should cut them off ....... 9%Not sure .......................................................... 5%

Q14 (Asked only of those who plan to watch:) Doyou plan to watch the Super Bowl more for thegame or the TV ads?The game........................................................ 65%The ads........................................................... 15%Not sure .......................................................... 19%

Q15 Who do you want to win the Super Bowl: theDenver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks?Broncos........................................................... 49%Seahawks ....................................................... 22%Not sure .......................................................... 29%

Q24 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.Woman ........................................................... 53%Man................................................................. 47%

Q25 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,press 2. If you are an independent or identifywith another party, press 3.Democrat ........................................................ 39%Republican...................................................... 36%Independent/Other.......................................... 26%

Q27 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you areolder than 65, press 4.18 to 29........................................................... 15%30 to 45........................................................... 24%46 to 65........................................................... 40%Older than 65.................................................. 21%

(Name is required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)

Name is required to post a comment

Please enter a valid email address

Invalid URL

This weblog only allows comments from registered users. To comment, please enable JavaScript so you can sign in.

PPP POLLS BY YEAR: 2006-2015

We came to PPP after a public poll in the San Jose Mayoral race showed our opponent ahead by 8 points. They found our candidate (Sam Liccardo) ahead by 3 points and that allowed us to be able to push back with the press against the perception that our opponent was now a strong favorite in the race. Sam ended up winning by 2 points and is now the next Mayor of San Jose. PPP worked very fast and had a very accurate read on the electorate when we needed them–Eric Jaye, Storefront Political Media.

Advertisement

HIRE PPP

Dean DebnamPublic Policy Polling CEO

PPP is best known for putting out highly accurate polling on key political races across the country, but we also do affordable private research for candidates and organizations. Why pay tens of thousands of dollars for a survey when one of the most reliable companies in the nation can do it for less?"